USC's report card

COLUMBIA — This was the breaking point in South Carolina's season last year. After a 5-1 start, the Gamecocks didn't win again.

No one's necessarily holding their breath for a similar freefall this year. But, still, there's a sense of wondering where USC will go from 4-2 — and if the team can find enough wins against the SEC and Clemson to get back to a bowl.

The start of the season didn't inspire loads of confidence, but the Ole Miss win again has hope being a word of choice.

"Well, we're hoping we're making progress. That's what we're hoping. And time will tell if we are," USC coach Steve Spurrier said. "We're very healthy right now at the halfway point and we realize we've still got the best teams coming up. The strength of the schedule's coming up in the last six."

Beginning Saturday at Kentucky, the Gamecocks close out with LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas, at Florida and at Clemson. USC has bye weeks before the Tennessee and Clemson games.

Here are the midway grades:

Quarterbacks

Grade: C+

Tommy Beecher obviously wasn't the answer. Stephen Garcia isn't yet ready to be the answer. We're all trying to figure out if Chris Smelley is. Ole Miss was certainly a good step. But, still, it's only a step. Smelley has to continue to prove himself on a weekly basis. Looking off defenders and not telegraphing passes is crucial for him. It's all about decisions. Smelley's efficiency numbers are skewed a bit because only recently did they include downfield plays.

Running backs

Grade: D+

Mike Davis has had some so-so moments, but he hasn't been all that impressive. He slams into the line or runs right into tacklers far too often. Got to make someone miss. Bobby Wallace was resurrected from the Gamecock dead and has shown he might be able to help a little down the stretch as a change of pace. Everyone's trying to figure out why Brian Maddox has been a bust. Eric Baker is perhaps just too green to contribute at this point.

Wide Receivers/ Tight ends

Grade: C+

Kenny McKinley should get his own category. When healthy, he's nothing but an 'A'. He changes the offense —period. Beyond that, it's a unit still trying to find its way. Jason Barnes certainly showed something at Ole Miss, but he has to do it consistently. Moe Brown has been a bit better than expected. Dion LeCorn has all but fallen out of favor. Frankly, Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders, particularly Saunders, have been mild disappointments at times this year. We thought blocking would come more naturally for them this season. They're big enough and have been around long enough.

Offensive line

Grade: C

By no real surprise, there's been a lot of shuffling along the line. Seemed like that might be avoided going into the year, but it hasn't happened. No one player has stood out. Everyone's made mistakes. And everyone's played well at times. But it's about consistency. But, as a unit, there's still much to be desired. The pass protection is improving, but the run-blocking still has a long, long way to go. It still looks like a soft group in trying to establish holes. The second half at Ole Miss was an improvement.

Defensive line

Grade: A

Ellis Johnson and Brad Lawing roll a lot of guys through here, including linebackers and sometimes safeties. But, when you're talking about the true front four, the line has been stout. Nate Pepper's return was an underrated idea for this defense. In addition to his big TD last week, Pepper has been consistently good at tackle. As has Cliff Matthews, the team's biggest hustle guy, at end. Clifton Geathers seems to get better by the week. Ladi Ajiboye can do more. Bottom line: These guys are young and good.

Linebackers

Grade: B+

Jasper Brinkley admits he was trying to do a little too much ad-libbing early in the year. But he's now settling into Johnson's plans for him. Eric Norwood's sack totals are expectedly down. Look, a lot is expected of these two guys — that's why Johnson moves them around to do all sorts of different things. They're adjusting, and that's scary for opposing offenses. The tackle stats might not be where you'd expect, but Brinkley and Norwood are still getting after it every Saturday. They're emotional leaders for the 'D'.

Secondary

Grade: A

Adding a fifth defensive back in Darian Stewart helps the fold. Stewart has been the defense's unsung hero thus far. He's all over the field in that "spur" position. Emanuel Cook has played quarterback of Johnson's defense. USC fans are praying he sticks around for another year. Captain Munnerlyn hasn't been terrific, but serviceable. Same for Carlos Thomas and Addison Williams. Chris Culliver's move to safety has made a lot of things possible for the defense. Akeem Auguste is emerging as a future star in the defensive backfield.

Special Teams

Grade: B

If you went solely by the stats, you'd say USC's special teams are having about the same kind of year as last. But there's a different sort of attitude and effort involved this year. It's very noticeable. And it obviously comes from the fiery Ray Rychleski. Look for more special plays from the special teams in the season's second half. Perhaps a long return or a blocked punt. Ryan Succop, assuming he's healthy, is poised for his best season here.

Coaching

Grade: B-

It's certainly a work-in-progress deal for even this veteran staff. But it seems like there's room for growth this year as opposed to last, when injuries were really beginning to take a toll — especially on defense. This could be a USC team that finishes stronger than it starts. And that's good coaching. That's making the adjustment. Spurrier has been a been critic of himself and his staff. He might get some praise by season's end.

Overall

Grade: B

It's not an ideal start, but it hasn't been just horrific. The Ole Miss win righted a lot of things. A lot of things. Of course, that doesn't mean a whole lot if the Gamecocks can't back it up with another victory against Kentucky. A win this week would take a lot of heat off the rest of the season, knowing you need one or two victories to reach realistic bowl eligibility. Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas are very winnable games. That's 7-5. That works around here. Getting past Clemson? That'd be icing for the season. Getting a bowl win? A cherry.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.